Sunday

Federal-Mogul names new co-CEO

Federal-Mogul Corp. said Thursday that one of its co-CEOs is stepping down to be replaced by a board member and executive from its largest investor's table.

The Southfield-based auto supplier named Daniel Ninivaggi to co-CEO and CEO of its aftermarket group.

He replaces Kevin Freeland in the position; Freeland is leaving the company for personal reasons, the company said in a news release.

Freeland was hired in the role in May. Ninivaggi is the third executive in the position in less than two years. Rainer Jueckstock continues as the other co-CEO.

Ninivaggi had served as president and CEO of New York-based Icahn Enterprises LP since 2010. The company's chairman, Carl Icahn, is the majority shareholder in Federal-Mogul.

While at Icahn Enterprises, Ninivaggi served in leadership roles at Tropicana Entertainment Inc. and on boards of various Icahn-controlled assets such as XO Holdings Inc. and Viskase Companies Inc.

Prior to joining Icahn, he served as of counsel for Chicago-based law firm Winston & Strawn LLP and in a variety of executive roles at Southfield-based supplier Lear Corp., including general counsel, chief administrative officer and executive vice president.

Ninivaggi earned an MBA from the University of Chicago and a law degree from StanfordLaw School.

Since emerging from bankruptcy in 2008 under Icahn, the supplier has struggled with profitability, reporting a net loss of $45 million in 2009 and a net loss of $117 million in 2012.

However, the company implemented significant cost-cutting strategies in 2013, including the closure or downsizing of seven plants and a divestiture. In June, the company sold its connecting rod and camshaft business to Addison, Ill.-based JD Norman Industries Inc.

The measures led to a positive net income of $38 million in the third quarter, which ended Sept. 30.

Last month, Federal-Mogul announced it was moving its headquarters to the former Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan headquarters complex in Southfield.